Summary

A number of observational studies have shown that the risk of a poor outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage, including early death, is greater among patients who present with higher blood pressure (BP). For every 1–2 mm Hg increase in systolic BP there is approximately a 1% increase in death and dependency. However, the effects associated with early lowering of BP are less clear. This article discusses results from the Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial [INTERACT].